If you find yourself feeling uneasy lately, you’re not alone–the world does feel a little upside down right now. From jarring news updates and back-to-back natural disasters to an uptick in layoffs and ongoing financial stress, everything can feel heavier than usual. And for our Muses who are already playing the balancing act between multiple roles—whether that’s entrepreneurship, motherhood, grad school, or all of the above—it’s especially easy to feel overwhelmed, drained, and anxious during this time.
Research shows that chronic stress disproportionately affects women, primarily due to a spike in cortisol levels that throws off our entire hormonal ecosystem (Seriously–cortisol is truly an opp!).
The result? Memory loss, weight gain, poor sleep, muscle soreness, and even depression.
That’s why it’s not just important—it’s essential, to fight back against stress and always prioritize your peace.
Here are 7 wellness hacks to help you manage stress and protect your energy this summer:
1. Drink More Water
We know, we sound like a broken record with this one—but hydration truly is the holy grail of wellness. Most people know that It’s supper important to give your body the right amount of water it needs each day in order to stay healthy. But did you know that drinking water can also reduce stress?
Water helps flush toxins from your body, improves nutrient absorption, prevents brain fog, and in turn supports the production of serotonin and other calming neurotransmitters.
Feeling overwhelmed? Pour a glass of water. Sip slowly. And let the water soothe your nervous system like a reset button.
2. Take a Hot Girl Walk
One of our favorite TikTok-born trends, the hot girl walk, is more than just a vibe—it’s a legit wellness practice. We love this trend so much because walking does wonders to boost your mood, reduces cortisol, and trigger a release of endorphins.
Taking a long, mindful stroll, especially on a sunny day, can uplift your spirit and shift your mindset in ways few other activities can.
3. Eat a Leafy Green Salad
After your long walk, you’re likely to be in the mood to grub! So treat your body to a salad that’s packed with leafy greens like kale, spinach, and chard. These superfoods are loaded with magnesium, a mineral that gets depleted when we’re stressed.
Magnesium is a must as it helps regulate mood, calm the nervous system, and restore balance—plus, greens just make you feel good inside and out.
4. Take a Nap
One thing about it and two things for sure—you can always count on Muses to take a midday nap, ha! And believe or not, the science agrees that short naps are a great way to restore your body throughout the day.
When your body is stressed, it releases the cortisol hormone (which at this point is a complete agent of chaos), that creates havoc throughout your body.
But consistently getting enough rest (even just a 20-minute nap) can lower stress and give your body time to relax, recover, and recharge to power you through the rest of your day.
5. FaceTime Your Bestie
The immediate feel-good feeling you get whenever you FaceTime your bestie is not all in your imagination. There actually is science behind the immediate feel-good and healing feeling you get whenever you FaceTime your bff.
Studies show that video calls trigger oxytocin, the “connection” hormone, which helps ease stress and curb feelings of loneliness.
So the next time your to-do list feels like a mountain, hop on FaceTime with your BFF—it’s the ultimate digital glimmer.
6. Apply a Face Mask
Believe it or not, skin care isn’t just skin deep. Applying a face mask can create a calming, sensory experience that signals your brain that it’s time to relax.
Just think about the face mask’s cooling effect, the warm sensation of your fingertips during a gentle facial massage, comforting scents, and quiet moment of stillness that are all at work together to reduce stress.
Bonus points if you use a smart device like the Foreo UFO to level up your skincare game with both sonic pulsations and soothing heat or cooling therapy.
And that’s exactly why we say skin care is self care!
7. Journal at Night
Instead of scrolling your feed before bed, grab your journal and do a nightly brain dump. Write down how your day went, what you’re grateful for, or what you hope to manifest tomorrow.
This calming bedtime ritual helps reduce anxiety, shift your mindset to a more positive space, and promotes deeper, more restful sleep.
But if you follow these habits, you’ll equip yourself with tools to handle the stress better and protect your mind, body, and well being against the long term harmful effects that stress can have.
Final Thoughts
Listen, stress is inevitable. Bad days happen, and that’s okay. But these small, mindful rituals can equip you with the tools to handle life’s challenges with more ease.
By protecting your peace, you’re not just surviving the summer—you’ll be thriving, ever after!
